Car Hire Preston

Preston’s rural charm beckons through the A505 and A602, connecting this picturesque Hertfordshire village to major transport networks. With a population of approximately 450, the area boasts mild summers, perfect for outdoor exploration and crisp autumns that transform the landscape into golden hues. Winter brings frost-kissed mornings ideal for woodland walks, making any season perfect for your visit.

Preston epitomises rural Hertfordshire village life with its beautiful 13th-century Church of St Martin featuring medieval wall paintings, traditional village pub and scattered period properties reflecting centuries of agricultural heritage. The village maintains its authentic character with working farms, ancient field boundaries and traditional cottage gardens that showcase the area’s horticultural traditions.

Attractions In Preston

Rural tranquillity defines this small village where the medieval church of St Martin overlooks traditional cottages, working farms and footpaths that connect to the larger network of Hertfordshire’s countryside walking routes.

Wardown Park

Nearly 4000 visitors have awarded this stunning attraction a remarkable 4.5-star rating, making it a must-visit destination in nearby Luton. The peaceful lake on New Bedford Road offers boat rentals and you’ll discover well-maintained gardens perfect for relaxation. Families appreciate the excellent playground facilities and the charming suspension bridge provides an Instagram-worthy backdrop for your countryside adventure.

Kiln Wood

Kiln Wood is a charming and significant area of ancient woodland situated near Preston, valued for its biodiversity and peaceful atmosphere. Historically, the site likely played a role in supplying timber for local industries, such as kilns. Today, this protected woodland provides excellent walking trails and is a beautiful place to spot spring wildflowers, offering a tranquil and mature forest environment away from the main roads.

Barton Hills NNR

Open around the clock for ultimate itinerary flexibility, this exceptional nature preserve boasts a remarkable 4.8-star rating based on over 1,000 reviews. The journey to Church Road in Barton-le-Clay rewards you with uphill bridleway challenges leading to panoramic ridge views. We recommend keeping an eye out for horses grazing in the scenic fields below during your visit.

Purwell Meadows

Purwell Meadows is a designated Local Nature Reserve that provides a serene, low-lying expanse of grassland bordering the River Purwell. Located between Preston and Hitchin, the meadows are actively managed to encourage wildflowers and offer a vital habitat for local wildlife. It is a wonderful location for a gentle, level walk, where one can observe traditional meadow conservation and appreciate the quiet flow of the chalk stream.

Hill End Chalk Pit

The Hill End Chalk Pit is a unique geological and ecological site near Preston, representing a former quarry that has been largely reclaimed by nature. This habitat is important as it exposes the underlying chalk, supporting specialised plant life that thrives in alkaline soil. It serves as a fascinating spot for local geologists and naturalists, providing a clear illustration of the natural composition of the North Hertfordshire landscape.

For convenient car hire options across the region, consider these nearby locations:

• Hitchin
• Letchworth Garden City
• Stevenage
• Weston
• Baldock
• Harpenden
• Knebworth
• Wheathampstead

Oughtonhead Common Nature Reserve

Oughtonhead Common is a highly valued Local Nature Reserve situated between Preston and Hitchin, famous for the presence of the River Oughton, a rare and protected chalk stream. The common, which includes open grassland and pockets of woodland, is managed primarily for conservation. It is an exceptional spot for observing water voles and kingfishers, making it a key destination for anyone wanting to experience a pristine natural environment as we ourselves have witnessed.

Wain Wood

Wain Wood is a delightful and historically significant area of ancient woodland located near Preston. It is celebrated locally for its extensive coverage of bluebells every spring, drawing visitors keen to experience this classic English seasonal spectacle. Managed for its ecological value, the wood provides a network of quiet trails and is a lovely, mature example of the traditional woodland that once dominated the Hertfordshire landscape.

St Paul’s Walden Bury

Available for exploration on Wednesdays from 2 PM until 7 PM, this magical estate offers diverse landscapes within its grounds at St Paul’s Walden. You’ll find the gardens less crowded than typical tourist attractions, allowing genuine immersion in nature’s tranquillity. We recommend combining your visit with the delightful tea and cake service available on site.

Knebworth House

Daily access from 10:30 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon makes this remarkable Tudor house incredibly convenient for day trips to Stevenage. The 4.5-star rating from over 3,700 visitors reflects its exceptional appeal and the lived-in atmosphere persists, as the family still resides here. You can explore the rock festival exhibition and children will love the adventure playground featuring zip lines, towers and massive slides.

Bunyan’s Barn

Literary heritage connections run deep at this historical gem, where the association with John Bunyan brings England’s cultural past to life. The rustic architecture on Maydencroft Lane in Gosmore provides a tangible link to centuries past and you’ll appreciate the peaceful countryside setting that inspired great works of literature.

National Trust – Shaw’s Corner

George Bernard Shaw’s former home preserves the famous writer’s life exactly as he left it, welcoming visitors Thursday through Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM in Welwyn. You can view his Nobel Prize certificate and explore the small writing shed where he crafted his masterpieces. We suggest allowing time for both the house tour and the garden stroll to truly appreciate this cultural treasure.

British Schools Museum

Victorian schooling comes alive through engaging tours at this fascinating attraction, open Friday to Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM. The knowledgeable guides on Queen Street in Hitchin bring historical education to life and children particularly enjoy the interactive “look back experience” demonstrating past teaching methods. The museum offers genuine insights into the evolution of education.